Shield optimization for maximizing heat dissipation at the device tissue interface and improving fixation

Abstract

A controller for an implantable medical device including a housing sized and configured to be received within a patient, the housing having a thermally conductive shell defining an exterior surface. At least a portion of the exterior surface of the thermally conductive shell defines at least one from the group consisting of a plurality of corrugations and a plurality of protuberances.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A controller for an implantable medical device, the controller comprising:
 a housing sized and configured to be received within a patient, the housing comprising a thermally conductive shell defining an exterior surface, at least a portion of the exterior surface of the thermally conductive shell defining at least one from the group consisting of a plurality of corrugations and a plurality of protuberances. 
 
     
     
       2. The controller of  claim 1 , further including a battery enclosed within the housing, the battery being configured to power the implantable medical device when the controller is connected to the implantable medical device. 
     
     
       3. The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally conductive shell defines the plurality of protuberances, and wherein the plurality of protuberances is disposed on an entirety of the exterior surface of the thermally conductive shell. 
     
     
       4. The controller of  claim 3 , wherein each protuberance of the plurality of protuberances defines a protuberance height and a protuberance diameter, and wherein a ratio of protuberance diameter to protuberance height is at least 2:1. 
     
     
       5. The controller of  claim 4 , wherein a density of the plurality of protuberances on the exterior surface of the thermally conductive shell is 3.25 protuberances per cm 2 . 
     
     
       6. The controller of  claim 5 , wherein each protuberance of the plurality of protuberances is spaced apart from every other protuberance of the plurality of protuberances. 
     
     
       7. The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally conductive shell defines the plurality of corrugations, and wherein the plurality of corrugations is disposed on an entirety of the exterior surface of the thermally conductive shell. 
     
     
       8. The controller of  claim 7 , wherein each corrugation of the plurality of corrugations defines a cross-sectional shape of one from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, and trapezoidal. 
     
     
       9. The controller of  claim 8 , wherein each corrugation of the plurality of corrugations is contiguous with an adjacent corrugation of the plurality of corrugations. 
     
     
       10. The controller of  claim 8 , wherein each corrugation of the plurality of corrugations is spaced apart from every other corrugation of the plurality of corrugations. 
     
     
       11. A controller for an implantable blood pump, the controller comprising:
 a housing sized and configured to be received within a patient, the housing comprising a thermally conductive shell defining an exterior surface, at least a portion of the exterior surface of the thermally conductive shell defining at least one from the group consisting of a plurality of corrugations and a plurality of protuberances; and 
 a battery disposed within the housing, the battery being configured to power the implantable blood pump when the controller is connected to the implantable blood pump; 
 the housing being configured to electrically couple with an implantable transcutaneous energy transfer coil, the transcutaneous energy transfer coil being configured to power the battery. 
 
     
     
       12. The controller of  claim 11 , wherein the thermally conductive shell defines the plurality of protuberances, and wherein the plurality of protuberances is disposed on an entirety of the exterior surface of the thermally conductive shell. 
     
     
       13. The controller of  claim 12 , wherein each protuberance of the plurality of protuberances defines a protuberance height and a protuberance diameter, and wherein a ratio of protuberance diameter to protuberance height is at least 2:1. 
     
     
       14. The controller of  claim 13 , wherein a density of the plurality of protuberances on the exterior surface of the thermally conductive shell is 3.25 protuberances per cm 2 . 
     
     
       15. The controller of  claim 14 , wherein each protuberance of the plurality of protuberances is spaced apart from every other protuberance of the plurality of protuberances. 
     
     
       16. The controller of  claim 11 , wherein the thermally conductive shell defines the plurality of corrugations, and wherein the plurality of corrugations is disposed on an entirety of the exterior surface of the thermally conductive shell. 
     
     
       17. The controller of  claim 16 , wherein each corrugation of the plurality of corrugations defines a cross-sectional shape of one from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, and trapezoidal. 
     
     
       18. The controller of  claim 17 , wherein each corrugation of the plurality of corrugations is contiguous with an adjacent corrugation of the plurality of corrugations. 
     
     
       19. The controller of  claim 11 , wherein the thermally conductive shell defines the plurality of protuberances, and wherein the plurality of protuberances is evenly spaced about the exterior surface. 
     
     
       20. A controller for an implantable blood pump, the controller comprising:
 a unitary housing sized and configured to be received within a patient, the housing comprising a thermally conductive metallic shell defining an exterior surface, an entirety of the exterior surface of the thermally conductive metallic shell defining a plurality of protuberances evenly spaced about the exterior surface, each protuberance of the plurality of protuberances being spaced apart from another protuberance of the plurality of protuberances, wherein each protuberance of the plurality of protuberances defines a protuberance height and a protuberance diameter, and wherein a ratio of protuberance diameter to protuberance height is at least 2:1; 
 a battery disposed within the housing, the battery being configured to power the implantable blood pump when the controller to the implantable blood pump; and 
 the housing being configured to electrically couple with an implantable transcutaneous energy transfer coil, the transcutaneous energy transfer coil being configured to power the battery.